Thoughts About Step-In Sociometry

Wed Jul 1 07:39:25 CDT 2009

I use step-in sociometry a lot myself and appreciate knowing how others use
it. And, actually, there's nothing wrong with using "Do you like pizza?" -
depending on the context and setting. If I am doing an eating disorders
group, or an educational group about food, nutrition, kicking sugar, etc.,
this would be a very good question!

Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP

Lake House Health & Learning Center

932 Lake Ave.

Racine, WI 53403

(262) 633-2645

karenc at wi.rr.com

www.lakehousecenter.com

http://lakehouseracine.blogspot.com

  _____  

From: list-bounces at grouptalkweb.org [mailto:list-bounces at grouptalkweb.org]
On Behalf Of Ann Hale
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:04 PM
To: ABE Psychodrama; GroupTalk
Subject: Re: Thoughts About Step-In Sociometry

Dale, This is a great description of how to do step-in, and to do it with
the benefit of further connecting.  I sure am glad you are teaching it and
have described it purpose so clearly. I realize my example in a previous
post, demeaned step-in (I think the example I gave was "step in if you like
pizza") .  I do know that there are trainers and group leaders who use it
for group building.  I liked the distinction about topics and when the topic
offered might indicate a level of readiness or indicate a group may be still
in the superficial level of shecking out the group.

Thanks, again, Ann  

----- Original Message ----- 

From: ABE <mailto:abepsychodrama at yahoo.com>  Psychodrama 

To: GroupTalk <mailto:list at grouptalkweb.org>  

Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:56 AM

Subject: Thoughts About Step-In Sociometry

Dear All, 

My experience with step-in sociometry is that can be quite revealing and
often deepens the intimacy in a group.  However, I do step-in sociometry
somewhat differently than I have witnessed from other directors.

I start by saying that step-in sociometry reveals the hidden connections in
a group, and that one of the goals in a group is to make the covert
connections overt.  I explain that most gay people have "gaydar" and most
people who aren't gay don't have "gaydar."  This is also true about many
other issues.  Any heroin addict can enter a strange city and find a hit
within a few hours.  That is because the addict seeks cues and notices cues
about drugs.  The same is true if we are a person in recovery, or a survivor
of abuse.  Our antennae are up and we are looking to see how others react to
those topics that are sensitive for us.  

My instructions are that only those persons who are willing to share about
themselves can ask a question in step-in sociometry.  I don't do voyeuristic
step-in sociometry.  When a person steps into the circle I ask them to say,
"Who like me?"  I instruct the other group members that if they are willing
to disclose and connect that they should step-in and join hands with the
person in the inner circle.  I also instruct the group members that f they
haven't experienced the issue or don't want to self-disclose at this time
they should stay in the outer circle.  I remind the folks in the group that
we are certain that those in the inner circle have experienced this issue,
but we don't know for certain that those in the outer circle have not also
experienced this issue.

I then explain to the group members that the persons in the inner circle
know what they know experientially, and those in the outer circle  only
understand cognitively.  I remind the folks in the inner circle that those
with them in the inner circle really get this issue and understand how this
issue or circumstance affects their lives.    

I usually demonstrate the first step-in and I only do one step-in.  

I do not step-in for the other questions.  I ask that each group member ask
one step-in so that everyone gets a turn.    If it is a new group and lots
of newcomers then I focus on low risk things but things that would be
important for the group to know about one another. Some examples of my low
risk step-in questions are (and those are true for me): "Who like me is an
only child?";  "Who like me lost a parent when I was young?";  "Who like me
struggles to balance work and play?"  

If the group is seasoned, safe and has developed trust with one another then
I demonstrate a (one) higher risk questions:  "Who like me had a parent who
was an alcoholic?";  'Who like me has ever been depressed?"; and "Who like
me pay so little attention to my physical body that it causes me physical
problems?"  

When people choose to step-in with a criteria that is limiting I ask them if
they are open to making the circle bigger.  For example, a person may step
in and say, "Who like me was repeatedly physically, emotionally and sexually
abused by a parent." or a person may say, "Who like me lost a parent by
suicide when they were five years old."  I teach them that by broadening
statements they can still speak their truth while gaining connections to
others.  I might suggest they ask, "Who like me was abused by a parent?"  or
"Who like my has lost a loved one through suicide?'  If the person doesn't
want to make the issue broader so that others can join with him/her it tells
me a lot about that person.  

Frankly, my only problem with step-in sociometry is too much disclosure.  I
try to limit step-in sociometry to one round.  Usually my groups spend a lot
of time discussing their sharing, the impact their sharing has on them, and
the issues that arise when they share intimately with others.  

Certainly I have experienced persons say things like "Who like me wears
contact lenses?"  When I hear those kinds of things I know that the safety
and trust that I had thought had been developed in the group has not.  As a
director, that means that I must return to issues of safety and
confidentiality and trust building.  As we could say "It's all good
information for the group leader."  

Dale Richard Buchanan 

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